Beara Way
Beara Way (Slí Bhéara) is a 206 km circular long-distance walking trail that loops around the Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland, passing between County Cork and County Kerry. It’s designated a National Waymarked Trail and is typically completed in about nine days.
Most walkers start and finish in Glengarriff. The route is built around a “ring” of towns and villages including Adrigole, Castletownbere, Allihies, Eyeries, Ardgroom, Lauragh, Tuosist, and Kenmare, with multiple short local spur options.
From Glengarriff, the trail enters Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve and climbs into the Caha Mountains, traversing the pass north of Sugarloaf before descending toward Adrigole. This is the early big lift: mountain terrain that transitions into gentler valley approaches.
Adrigole to Castletownbere follows the southern flanks of Hungry Hill and the Slieve Mish Mountains, then continues on to Castletownbere. There’s also a Bere Island spur linked by ferry from Castletownbere for an island detour.
Between Castletownbere and Allihies, the route uses an old cattle droving path. The landscape here reflects the area’s copper mining history, and Allihies becomes a hub town before the trail pushes on from there.
Allihies to Eyeries continues via a miners’ track, climbs copper-rich crags above the village, and crosses a mountain pass to reach Eyeries. From Eyeries, the route connects along a coastal ridge toward Ardgroom.
After Ardgroom, the trail crosses into County Kerry via Lauragh, then heads through the Knockagarrane area and between Clonee Lough and Lough Inchiquin before another mountain pass. The route diverges here toward Kenmare or south toward Bonane, and the final leg returns to Glengarriff via Bonane Heritage Park and Esk mountain.
Waymarking uses numbered yellow trail markers and the walking-man symbol. A 2009 upgrade added 20 bridges, 200 stiles, 15 information boards, and 30 plaques, and the trail is managed by the Beara Tourism and Development Association.
More information: Wikipedia, The Ultimate Guide to Hiking The Beara Way - Hillwalk Tours, Beara Way - Hiking Trails